In response to the anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey, we created an extract within the Jersey Evening Post to showcase out work to the public, and to allow for an in-depth discussion to occur regarding the impact of the occupation and liberation on Jersey’s residents, it’s scenery, and its history. In order to do this, we forwarded our best work to be included in the newspaper, the following images are the ones I selected from my occupation and liberation project:
This image was inspired by Rafal Milach, and I chose to include this image, as I believe that the symbolism of the children being trapped in a maths object, while being surrounded by bright colours accurately represents the entrapment of those during the occupation, with the danger being so close to home that they were unable to escape and simply had to adapt to their situation as best they could.
I also selected this image based on the bold contrast between the light and dark areas of the book and newspaper, and the harsh studio lighting which documents the image in a realistic yet eye-catching way. I believe this image allows for the viewer to see that the memory of the occupation of Jersey has survived all of these years, and what was once someones life, is now seen as history.
I included this because I believe it is my most powerful image. I believe that this image presents the damage caused to innocent lives by the occupation of Jersey (and WW2 in general), and how it impacted the lives of so many, while those that initially occupied the island were able to continue their lives as normal. I feel like this peice stands out, and therefore I included it.
the newspaper was an amalgamation of all Hautlieu Photography students work, and therefore the work was all compiles and put together into a booklet within the JEP. The final result of the paper can be seen below:
Overall, I believe the newspaper was a success. It has allowed for our class to come together and share our experiences studying and learning about the liberation and occupation of Jersey, and also brings the subject to light for the public, who are able to view the outcomes of our study through the images, which themselves present a structures, sequences story of the occupation and liberation of Jersey.
In order to view what my book would look like when it is printed, I used the Preview option on Blurb to flick through my book as if it was a real printed book. I also used this option to check for any errors in the final pages of the book before ordering. The link for the Preview is below:
I needed to find a way to incorporate my essay in a visually appropriate and practical way, while not taking away from the main purpose of the book (the photos). In order to do this, I pasted the essay into Light-room, and from there I experimented with the placement of text, titles and photos that I would use to layout my essay and present it at the back of my book. My first draft of organizing and layout of the essay in my book was as below:
With this initial layout, I placed the essay in paragraphs, and tried to make sure each paragraph was written with a corresponding image on the page next to it, this way I could maintain the viewers attention, and give examples of the concepts and works that I was referencing in the essay. As my historical context paragraph was longer than the others, I gave that section of my essay a double page spread, and decided to include 2 images over the following 2 pages to present examples for the viewer to better understand the contents of the historical context portion of the essay. This double page of images also allows for a split in the essay after the 2 whole pages of text, therefore I find it important to add in order to split the essay into manageable chunks.
After placing my essay using the initial layout, I decided to restructure the layout so that it fit more flush with the pages, and the size was small enough to fit and work on the page, but large enough to be read without issue.
Firstly, I decided to keep the title at 12 pt, and move it into the middle of the page. I felt like this allowed for the title to stand out against the essay, and gave the reader a clear beginning to start reading. I differentiated from the title by placing the essay in 11 pt (a size large enough to read but small enough to fit on the page). Furthermore, I increased the padding from the left and right sides of the page to 26 pt, as I did not want the text to spill out into the gutter of the book (where the paper begins to bend over) as I felt that this would make it difficult to read.
I used the same 11 pt font and 26 pt padding across all of the pages with my essay on (to ensure continuity). I feel like this layout gives the essay pages more structure, and I am happy that the text does not come too close to the edges of the paper, or the gutter of the book.
Below is the final layout for the essay portion of my book:
When comparing between my first and second draft, I fee like my second layout has a lot more structure to it, and allows the reader to navigate the essay much more easily.
I selected a range of images to be printed and mounted using a range of different framing and mounting techniques. For this part of the exam, I decided to print images that I felt would work best as a collection, and would be most effective when individually framed. Below are the images which I will be framing once printed:
The images were printed in a range of A4, A3 and A5, which I selected based on the details of the image, and which images I felt would be the most eye-catching to the viewer of the selection.
I will be using a series of framing techniques in order to present these printed images. I will be using:
Foam board
Window mounts
Different methods of standing the image up vertically
I have printed 6photos, and will be physically framing them in a way that best presents the images.
The final results from the framing can be seen below:
I decided to wind mount 3 of my images, and stuck the remaining 3 onto foam board. I did this because I believed that some of the images suited a black background more, and I believed that the darker large images would sit we’ll with the small white outline of the window mount. I also believed that the 3 images I mounted on foam board worked well together as a group, and so I mounted them together.
For this piece, I decided to use the above 3 images in a group, as I believed that their colour schemes fit together well, and the red tones of the lower 2 images worked well with the bright white of the foam board. I also believed that the more soft, warmer colours of the top image worked in contrast with the more harsh, bold images below, therefore I grouped these images together to make the final piece. I also believe that these images work together conceptually, as each image reflects an example of rebelling against gender stereotypes, with the top image being a reflection of rebelling against conforming to stereotypical masculine roles, and the bottom 2 images showing a rejection of traditional feminine beauty standards. I believe that together, these image symbolise a break from traditional gender roles, and give a powerful message of empowerment to the individual rather than gender conformity. I believe the lack of dark background places all attention on the images themselves, and helps form them to work together, rather than stand out separate, in order to give the above mentioned meaning.
For the above images, I decided to use window mounts. I did this because I believed that the rich blacks of the image would be better emphasised using a boarder that was also black, while the white bordering of the window mount could act to stop the viewer from loosing focus when processing the detail in the image (the white outline acted as a way to contain the image). I presented each image individually as I believe that each image is strong and bold enough to work on its own, and presenting them in a series of group would retract from their individual detail and meaning. I used a 4cm barber around 2 of my images, and for the largest image (A3) I used a much larger boarder. I did this to separate the level of detail in the large image and to provide the viewer with some breathing room around the image, while at the same time placing maximum focus on the image itself due to the lack of detail around the edge of the image. I feel like such a large boarder helps to draw attention to the detail within the image, which I believe reflects the struggles of feeling trapped when being forced to conform to a gender role that doesn’t fit the individual, while at the same time feeling freed when allowed to experience more feminine aspects in private. To conclude, I feel like this image works well on a large window mount, and I believe that it draws maximum attention to the detail and meaning within the image.
My final layout for my Photo-book (including the essay portion) can be seen below:
The sequencing of my book represents the internal conflict experienced by an individual who is attempting to navigate their gender and identity in a society where there are still strict gender roles and norms. The book shows examples of both liberation of gender, such as the destruction of makeup, the mixing of both feminine and masculine features, and the don’t-care attitude presented by those who disregard society’s norms, and present themselves without apology. However, it also presents examples of the fear and anxiety that can be cause by expressing ones own gender identity, as the pressure and judgement of society causes individuals to hide how they want to portray themselves for fear of judgement. I feel like my book presents both of these themes well with the reoccurring colour of deep-red drawing attention to the anger, frustration and boldness of those who oppose society’s gender roles and norms.
I decided on using 2 images as double page spreads, because I felt like these images required 2 pages for the level of detail that they contained, or because the concept that they conveyed needed extra space for the viewer to focus their attention on to just that singular image. I feel like my first double page spread is effective at focusing on the emotion of the subject, and draws attention to the bored, tired expression on their face. I feel like this image conveys the delicate emotion that Phoebe Jane Barrett conveys in her own work, and due to this I feel like it was more effectively placed as a double page spread. In contrast to this, I decided on placing my second double page spread further along in the book, and this image focuses more on the concept rather than its visual aspects. The image of the broken Barbie dolls conveys the concept of what society’s toxic views of femininity can do to a woman, and displays this in a visually intriguing, but also conceptual way. It is for this reason that I chose these 2 images as my double page spreads.
For some of the images I left blank pages after or before, allowing the viewer to concentrate on a singular image over a 2 page spread. I did this with the images that. fit were strong enough on their own, and by adding a second image opposite them, I would risk overcrowding the viewer. I felt that by leaving spaces between the stronger images in my book, I provided a less cramped, more visually relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Overall, I feel like my book encompasses all of the important aspects that I was originally trying to covey. The end product works with a mixture of emotional and bold imagery, both taking inspiration from Cindy Sherman’s satirical, stylised approach, and Phoebe Jane Barrett intimate, delicate approach. I feel like I have effectively conveyed the struggles and triumphs of fighting back and rebelling against gender stereotypes and norms, while presenting new examples and interpretations of how individuals may rebel against, or feel forced to adhere to, gender stereotypes and identities.
For the physical properties of the book, I have decided to go with a hard cover, premium lustre paper, with a standard portrait orientation. I believe the paper is the most important part of the book, as it allows for the images to be presented with the best possible contrast and colours, and so I have selected premium lustre in order to emphasise the contrast in my images most effectively. Furthermore, I selected portrait orientation, as many of my images are portrait, and I feel like my images as a whole work better in portrait. I have also selected hardcover for its durability factors, as well as the level of quality it adds to the front cover which I feel is necessary due to my cover being more simplistic.
After editing the images from my 5th photo-shoot, I was able to come up with the following images as final results:
After editing my final images and comparing them with the images that I had already included in my book, I came to the conclusion that both the second and 3rd image (above) do not match the colour scheme of my book. I was unable to find a place that these two images would fit in, as especially regarding the 3rd image, my photo-book has a theme of cool colours, black and with imagery, with a theme of deep red continuing throughout the book. I felt like the 3rd image from my 5th photo-shoot was too warm to be included in the book, and so after editing, I decided to reject this image. Furthermore, I felt that the first image (of the spanner) was not strong enough to be presented on its own (on a single page with a blank page next, or on a double page spread), and yet I could not find a place where the image would fit next to another image. I felt like forcing this image to be included would disrupt the narrative of the book, and so I rejected both of these images, and kept the 2nd image (fists) in the book. I found that the 2 images that I rejected were valuable experimentation, but did not work in my final book.
Below is the contact sheet for my 5th photo-shoot:
GREEN: box = final image, tick = possible final image RED: line = rejected image, E = over/under exposed, F = poor focus, C = poor camera angle
I will be using the first image of the dress as a possible front cover for my book, and so the editing process for this image can be found in my Book layout experimentation blog-post.
GREEN: box = final image, tick = possible final image RED: line = rejected image, E = over/under exposed, F = poor focus, C = poor camera angle, S = subject in wrong position
GREEN: box = final image, tick = possible final image, squiggle = unsure RED: line = rejected image, E = over/under exposed, F = poor focus, C = poor camera angle, S = subject in wrong position
After selecting the images I wanted to edit, I uploaded the images onto Photo-shop and began the editing experimentation:
For the first image, I increased the contrast of the image (causing the background to disappear, which was also the desired effect). I also changed the colour to monotone in order to draw attention to the overall texture and shapes, rather than the colours of the image.
I further increased the contrast of the image, and used the lasso tool to cut certain areas of rougher skin, placing them on the knuckles and using the eraser tool to soften the edges, to give the knuckles a slightly bruised effect.
Above is the final image. I feel like the bruising represents a tougher, more masculine approach, whereas the rings on the finger indicate that the subject is female. These 2 contrasting concepts, along with the hostile position of the hands, represent a move from traditional femininity towards masculinity, with the bruised hands representing defence of ones self.
For my second image, I decided to make a statement about a merge between femininity and masculinity, focusing on the delicacy of masculinity (taking inspiration from Phoebe Jane Barrett’s work)
For this image, I used the selective colour tool to increase the brightness of the white in the background. After several attempts I was able to present the background as completely white, which was the desired outcome for the image. I also increased the contrast of the image to show the contrast between the different colours of glitter, and the harshness of the metal on the spanner.
I feel like this final image gives an obvert example of the merge between feminine and masculine qualities, with the simplicity of the glitter providing such a contrast to the masculinity of the tool. I feel like this is a good example of just how strict society can be when it comes to the presentation of gender, as even a change as small as glitter creates a completely different opinion within the viewer when judging the object.
For my final image, I used the same process as the image above, increasing the contrast of the image, anodising the selective colour tool to reduce the pinkness in the hands of the subject (to keep the continuity of the colour scheme). Below is the final image:
I feel like this image is a simple yet effective rebellion against gender norms, as the masculinity of the subject is shown through his jacket and can of beer, and yet the inclusion of painted fingernails warps the view of the viewer when looking at the image, and they judge the subject based on this one small break from their understanding of gender and masculinity.
In order to come up with the final layout of my photo-book, I experimented with different sequences, arrangement, sizes and shapes of the images within the book in order to create a layout which reflected the concept and theme of the images. I started with arranging the images into a sequence that I felt best fit the narrative that I was trying to achieve, and the process involved the following.
In order to begin the process of editing my book together, I uploaded my final images into Light-room. I then used the Book template in order to layout my images in the series I wanted.
This is the layout of the book using Light-room
In order to layout the pages in a series that presented an appropriate narrative, I experimented with a series of layouts and narratives in order to best present the images. I decided on my narrative, which would use the images to present a story of both liberation and rejection/judgement/denial. I would use the images in order to show a story/progression of internal conflicts within someone struggling to express their true gender identity (which goes against the stereotypical gender norms of modern time). I wanted to use the images to present an internal conflict, and in doing so would use a narrative that jumps backwards and forwards from suppression and negativity, to positivity and liberation, while constantly presenting an overall theme of how gender identity is influenced by, and how it influences, the world around the individual, as well as all aspects of their life.
The above spread includes 2 images which work together ti give an example of the liberation of gender identity. It makes use of confident rebellion against gender roles, and the rejection of traditional gendered objects (makeup). This spread is used as an example of the positive things that can come from being ones self, and expressing ones self and ones gender in a way that feels comfortable, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes society.
The above spread contrasts the first example, as here, the images are used to show the struggles of gender expression, and how rejection, fear, and judgement is part of the daily lives of those who decide to express themselves openly with their gender (which perhaps opposes society’s requirements for gender expression). With these, I have used a black background, as I feel is compliments the images the most, but it can also be used to represent the oppression and “darkness” that the subject in the image suffers as a result of the conflict they feel due to their gender expression.
I experimented with adding double page spreads to the image as well.
I also used double page spreads in order to draw maximum attention to the image. I decided which images to use on double page spreads based on the detail within the image, the concept of the image, and took into account whether the image was initially taken in portrait or landscape. I decided that I would use landscape images for double page spreads (in order to cover the page fully), and would use images that evoked emotion and had enough detail to allow the viewer to occupy themselves with the visual aesthetics, along with the concept of the image.
I soon found that my book was following a narrative of 2 types of stories; one following a rebellion against gender norms, and the other following the suppression and repression of individuals forced to follow these norms. I felt that these two concepts contrasted and complimented each other perfectly, and my narrative allowed for the viewer to be led through each of the stories, processing information as if they were directly involved in the mental and physical stresses, pressures and liberations of the subjects in the book.
I experimented with different possible images for the front cover. Although I felt like the above image was appropriate for the front cover and would work to draw the attention of the viewer, I realized that the image did not work as a cover, as the subject would be folded over the left side of the book onto the back cover, and I found this to retract from the shape and presence of the image as a whole (I felt that the image did not sit right on the front cover due to 1/2 of it being folded onto the back cover).
For the above image, I experimented with using this image as the front cover. Although I like the way the starkness of this image looks as a front cover, I feel like using a single image to wrap around both the front and back would allow for continuity across the 2 pages, and would allow the covers to flow better.
I then found that I needed to create an image for the front cover that was separate from the rest of the book. I looked to find a simple image that related to the theme of the book, and decided on photographing the dress that reoccurs through the images within the book:
The above image is the result of the photo I took of the dress. I took the photo from a birds eye view in order to show the dress as flat, which would fit as the front cover as a book well.
I then decided to put the front cover in monotone, as I felt like this provided a more passive, simple cover that would not draw attention from the title.
I also used the spot healing brush tool to remove the dark shadow in the left top corner of the image. I did this to keep the cover flat, as I was able to remove the depth from the image.
I decided on the above as a final cover image, which was a separate image not included in the book itself, but taken from the same dress material as the dress that reoccurs within the book. I feel like this added a layer of continuity to the book, as although the front cover is more simple and less detailed than many of the images (which allows for space for the title), it follows the same theme as the rest of the book, and is a representation of a reoccurring pattern that can be found in multiple images within the book.
I then moved on to the title of the book. I had decided to use the title I had experimented with in an earlier blog post “Liquify”, as I feel that this is a simple analogy for liquifying the boundaries between gender norms, and mixing the 2 together to create a personal identity. I placed this title in a well placed gap within the pattern of the image, and experimented with fonts and colours to find one that best matched the theme of the book. I decided on a red for the colour, as a reoccurring bright colour within the book is a deep red, and I felt like adding this to the title would allow for continuity through the book.
I decided on using “Baskerville Old Face” font, as I felt that it gave a serious yet delicate appearance to the text, which I felt encapsulated both the masculine and feminine aspects of the book. I also located the deep red that I found was to be reoccurring throughout the book, and made sure that the title was coloured with the same red.
After finalizing the front and back cover of the book, I spent more time finalizing the sequencing and layout of my images. I decided that some of the images had been packed together, and I felt that by including more space between the images, breathing room would be freed up in order for the viewer to take in each image individually without feeling overcrowded. I also began focusing more on the sequencing of my images, with the reoccurring theme of applying, wearing and smudging lipstick and makeup presenting a theme throughout the book. I left some pages before and after bold images blank, as I felt some of my images were strong enough to work on their own with their own page. Below was the final result of my experimentation:
Here, I included a blank page as I felt the image was strong enough on its own, and including a second image would overcrowd the spread
I decided to boarder some of my images with a contrasting colour (e.g white background against a dark image) in order to bring them forward on the page, and to stop them from blending to the background.
I decided to begin the book using an image of hands, and end the book on an image of hands to show continuity. I included blank spaces and pages in order to show clear breaks between the images, and to make sure the viewer was not bombarded with pages of images without time to consider them individually. I showed the progress from fear to liberation and carelessness when it came to expressing individual gender identity and going against society’s gender norms, and I feel like my final layout represents this effectively.
A sentence: My project is about how gender expression and gender roles have changed and developed through time, and how individuals are able to liberate themselves and express their identities through non-conventional gender expression.
A paragraph: I will explore the relationship between people and their own gender identities, and the way they express themselves privately, compared to the way they express themselves to others. The book will focus on following how gender expression has changed and developed over time, and how, through the ages, what is accepted as normal and what is still considered abnormal and controversial has changed. The book will attempt to break the boundaries of gender identity, and show that personal identity can be both masculine and feminine, and the lines between the 2 do not have to be drawn so strictly. The book will also explore the danger of not being able to express ones identity due to fear of being judged by others, and the way that effects individuals.
Design: Consider the following
How you want your book to look and feel:
Front and back cover (normal card-based) – continuous image across front and back cover – title in the bottom right corner or across the middle – small writing – unusual but subtle cover image to make the book interesting and eye-catching.
Paper and ink:
Normal photo paper, minimal writing to give full attention to the images
Format, size and orientation:
I will use a portrait orientation for my book, as the majority of my images are take in portrait mode, and I feel this orientation best reflects the theme of my book.
Binding and cover
I am looking to bind my book using a common binding method, and will use one single image over both the front and back cover in order to express continuity.
Title
My title must include something to do with: gender, identity, expression, repression, male, female, liberation, sexuality, rebellion against the norm, society, individuality – examples of titles include:
“XXY” (including all chromosomes from both male and female individuals)
“FeMale” (both Female and Male highlighted respectively to show both sexes mixed together in the word)
“Fluid” (reflecting breaking from the norms of gender expression, and allowing for a more “fluid” gender identity which reflects the individual, rather than society)
“Liquify” (same concept as “Fluid”)
Editing and sequencing
I will be sequencing the images in order to covey 2 sides of the same narrative; the struggles and successes of expressing ones gender identity – I will do this from both “male” and “female” perspectives, and will be mixing the two more throughout the book in order to ease the viewer into the understanding that gender expression should not be defined by stereotypes and expectations of the sex of the individual.
Images and text
The book will focus more on imagery text – my essay will be incorporated into the book
For my 4th photo-shoot, I have decided to directly respond to my artists Cindy Sherman and Phoebe-Jane Barrett, by creating photography that overtly have their influence in them. My previous photo-shoots have all contained influence from these artists, however I felt that in order to best reflect the influence I have gained, I should attempt to recreate their imagery and concepts in my own way. In order to do this, I used a subject for the 2 different styles of shoot, conducted in the same place. The contact sheet can be seen below:
RED: line through: rejected image, S: subject in wrong position, E: too over/under exposed GREEN: tick: possible final image, box: final image
RED: line through: rejected image, S: subject in wrong position, E: too over/under exposed GREEN: tick: possible final image, box: final image
RED: line through: rejected image, S: subject in wrong position, E: too over/under exposed GREEN: tick: possible final image, box: final image
Both of the above contact sheets were created with the intention of developing images that reflected the overall style and concept of both Sherman and Barrett’s work, with the first sheet representing an approach to Barrett’s more emotionally driven, soft focus work that reflects the hardships of expressing the same gender identity as the one that is expected of you, and the second sheet making reference to Sherman’s bold, brash approach to gender stereotypes and the exaggeration of feminine features.
After selecting my final images from the contact sheets, I moved on to editing the images:
For my image in which I took inspiration from Phoebe Barrett, I initially cropped the image to place the subject as the centre focus, and to remove the edge of the image which captured the bedside table (I found that the darkness of this corner removed attention from the subject in the centre of the frame).
Selective colour setting, focusing on increasing the cyan shades in order to give a soft, almost washed out effect to the image.
I also increased the contrast of the image in order to show the contrast between the dark shades of the subjects clothing, and the light bedspread in the background.
I added a range of elective colour edits in order to perfect the washed out, soft blue hue that I was going for in the image
The above images show the ways in which I edited the colours of the image in order to give a overall blue/cyan hue to then image in order to soften the image and its harshness. Although Barrett focuses on black and white imagery in her masculinity work, I decided that the image would look better in colour, but still made efforts to stick to the overall soft theme of Barrett’s work.
Above is the final image from this part of the photo-shoot. I feel like it accurately reflects the concept of Barrett’s work, while not copying it directly. I have used this photograph to convey emotion to the viewer, with the bright, sparkly and outgoing attire of the subject contrasting their solemn, fed up look, as if to convey that their emotions and personality does not match the way in which they convey themselves to the world. I feel like this is an example of what the pressure of conforming to gender stereotypes can do to a person, removing their ability to express themselves freely, and thus they develop an emotionless, solemn outer shell, protecting them from society’s judgement. I feel like this is a very important aspect of Barrett’s work, and therefore I attempted to recreate this concept in my own photo-shoot.
I then made edits to the other part of the photo-shot, in which I recreated an image made by Sherman, reflecting the bold and brash gender stereotypes of women I the media, and making a satirical comment on how these features actually look. Below is the process of how I edited my final image:
Initially, I increased the contrast of my image in order to copy the very bold, striking colours of Sherman’s work, in which the high contrast oranges, blues, reds and yellows make her work recognisable and eye-catching.
In order to individually increase the contrast and tone of the hair (so that the hair did not come off in the same pink hue as the face), I used the lasso tool to copy and paste the hair of the subject onto a different layer, and increased the contrast separately to stop this from happening.
The above image has a background that did not match the subject in the foreground, therefore I covered the background with black, and cut the subject out in the foreground, below was the final result:
I feel like this final image accurately reflects the concept and theme of Cindy Sherman’s work. I feel like the pose of the subject is over exaggerated and fake, giving the image an overall exaggerated and satirical feel (which follows the theme of Sherman’s work). Furthermore, I feel like the extreme contrast within the image, along with the extreme and rough make-up, gives the image a fake and heavily edited feel to it, which in turn helps to reflect the same satirical, over the top reflection of female gender presentation in the media that Sherman reflects in her own work. Altogether, I find that this image successfully conveys the concepts and themes of Sherman’s work, while not directly copying it.
On top of these two images, I also experimented with some of the images I took that did not directly reflect the work of the artists I was studying, but I felt would suit the style and concept of the book regardless. Below are 2 of the images that I also decided to use, after editing:
I feel like the second image above also reflects Cindy Sherman’s work and concepts very overtly, although the colour scheme and editing makes this less obvious (although the attitude/pose of the subject is closely related to Sherman’s satirical approach to photography). The first image above is, however, more conceptual its approach, as it shows a subject presenting a huge, over the top smile, while makeup runs down her face. I feel like this evokes the same raw emotion as Barrett’s work, while visually presenting in a bold way (like Sherman).
